BI to probe syndicates giving Philippine passports, documents to illegal aliens

MANILA, Philippines — Immigration Chief Jaime Morente on Thursday ordered a probe on syndicates that reportedly have being providing illegal aliens with Philippine passports and other identification documents.

Morente said he ordered the investigation upon learning that syndicates continue to operate in the country and are providing illegal aliens with Philippine documents.

Morente added that this illegal activity “may have security implications” on the public, as he noted that immigration agents have recently arrested two Indian nationals posing as Filipinos.

Immigration Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. identified the foreign nationals as Satbir Sandhu, 25, and Mandish Sandhu, 24. Both were arrested in a high-rise condominium in Mandaluyong City.

“We have observed this to be a modus,” said Manahan in a statement.

“Illegal aliens would acquire authentic documentation saying that they are Filipinos, and would at times possess birth certificates that were registered late.  From this, they are able to acquire more documents for more Philippine IDs,” he added.

According to Manahan, Mandish presented an original Philippine passport under the name Jeff Sunga Sandhu, while his brother, Satbir, presented a Philippine postal ID and Manila Police Clearance under the name Sunny Sunga Sandhu.

Also found in the possession of Mandish was a Philippine birth certificate, stating that he was born from a Filipino mother.

The Bureau of Immigration also noted that in 2016, a total of 177 Indonesians were intercepted for carrying fraudulently-acquired Philippine passports.  /muf